Hai Bo Dong's Conceptual Skill

Let's talk.

Hai Bo Dong sat back down in his chair, but his gaze remained fixed on the Green Lotus Core Flame in Qin Yu's palm.

After a silence lasting about half a cup of tea's time, he finally spoke:

"How did you obtain this Heavenly Flames?"

Qin Yu pulled the fragment of the map out of the interlayer and put the empty map back in its original place.

"Well, that's a long story, so please don't trouble yourself."

Hai Bo Dong's eye twitched, but he restrained himself because Qin Yu possessed a Heavenly Flames.

"I've heard of your name, senior. You are one of the ten strongest figures in the Jia Ma Empire, the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong."

Qin Yu first mentioned Hai Bo Dong's past glories, knowing that the old man Hai Bo Dong was ambitious.

Being forced to stay in a map shop for so many years must have been extremely difficult for him.

Upon hearing Qin Yu's words, Hai Bo Dong blinked, revealing a hint of nostalgia for the past.

Seeing Hai Bo Dong's expression, Qin Yu placed the incomplete map on the table and slowly said:

"But I'm definitely going to get this incomplete map today."

"If any seniors have any mutually beneficial ideas, please feel free to bring them up."

Hai Bo Dong remained silent, but his mind was racing.

With his current strength, he could still gain the upper hand if he were to fight Qin Yu head-on.

However, it wouldn't be worthwhile to fight Qin Yu, who possesses Heavenly Flames, just for a fragment of a map that "might" be a treasure.

"Are you Alchemist?"

After some thought, Hai Bo Dong finally spoke.

I guess so.

Hai Bo Dong frowned. What do you mean by "consider it"?

"What rank? How many years have you studied there?"

"I haven't registered with the Alchemist Association yet, but I can already refine second-grade pills."

Qin Yu's answer made Hai Bo Dong fall into deep thought.

Although its grade is a bit low, considering that Qin Yu possesses Heavenly Flames, there's something to look forward to in the future.

"As for how many years I studied..."

Qin Yu paused for a moment, then glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

"It's been exactly ten hours so far."

Hai Bo Dong's expression froze, and his tone immediately turned somber.

"... Are you kidding me?"

"Well, it's only for a short time anyway."

Qin Yu shrugged, offering no further explanation.

Hai Bo Dong took a deep breath and decided to temporarily set aside the matter with Qin Yu, this "mischievous" young man.

"Then who is your teacher? It's not that Gu He's new apprentice, is it?"

"Do you think he would give me this Heavenly Flames if I were truly Gu He's disciple?"

"Actually, I don't know either; my teacher didn't leave me my name at all."

Qin Yu was telling the truth. In the legacy left by that Alchemist, apart from things related to alchemy and an introduction to the Heaven Suppressing Cauldron, there was no mention of his name at all.

Another silence fell.

Hai Bo Dong's gaze swept back and forth between Qin Yu and the incomplete map on the table several times before he finally let out a long sigh.

"Take the incomplete map."

He was a bit arrogant, but compared to the chance to regain his strength, he felt he could temporarily put aside that arrogance.

Otherwise, there's no other way, is there?

But I need you to promise me one thing.

"Explain."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu knew it was okay.

He had no ulterior motives towards Hai Bo Dong; he simply felt that Hai Bodong was someone he could get along with, so he decided to make some contact with him.

What if we need it someday?

Hai Bo Dong stood up, walked behind the counter, took out a yellowed scroll from a hidden compartment, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Qin Yu.

"When you reach the sixth rank in the future, help me refine a pill. I have almost all the medicinal materials."

Qin Yu didn't look at the scroll; he knew it contained the formula for the Poe Dan.

He only asked one question:

"You trust me that much, senior? Do you even believe in verbal promises, let alone me?"

Hai Bo Dong was silent for a moment, then laughed helplessly twice. His laughter was full of bitterness, but more so a kind of resigned acceptance of the situation.

Whether I believe it or not is irrelevant; I'm just betting you'll keep your promise.

He sat back down in his chair, crossed his arms in front of his abdomen, and a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"This fragment of the map is of little use to me, but it may be of more use to you."

"Since that's the case, why not use it to exchange for another possibility?"

Hai Bo Dong said that he also felt that he had a bit too much of a gambling instinct, but he really had no other choice.

The Poe Dan requires at least Sixth-Grade Alchemist to refine, and it also requires Heavenly Flames.

In a place like the Northwestern Continent, you could count the number of Sixth-Grade Alchemist on your fingers.

And most importantly, there's the Heavenly Flames, which is truly something that can only be encountered by chance.

Having missed out on Qin Yu, who knows when I'll ever meet another Alchemist with Heavenly Flames again?

Looking at the complex emotions on Hai Bo Dong's old face, Qin Yu suddenly had a thought:

Is Hai Bo Dong's angel investment just a marketing ploy?

"I wonder when I'll be promoted to the sixth rank. Can you wait that long, senior?"

This time, Qin Yu asked very seriously.

"I trust my own judgment; you won't stay at the low-grade level for long."

"Make a deal."

Qin Yu extended his right hand, Hai Bo Dong paused for a moment before extending his hand as well, their hands clasped together.

The two of them hastily reached an agreement in this little shop that hardly anyone frequents.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

After Qin Yu released his grip, he changed the subject:

"I want to see the seal on your body, senior."

"You also study sealing techniques?"

Hai Bo Dong's eyes lit up, thinking that Qin Yu had some special methods.

"No, just out of curiosity."

"You son of a bitch..."

Hai Bo Dong rolled his eyes at Qin Yu, but ultimately revealed the seal on the back of his neck.

Qin Yu leaned closer to examine it, attempting to probe it with his soul power before withdrawing his senses.

That's quite interesting.

"Alright, take the incomplete map. Don't forget what you promised me."

Hai Bo Dong waved his hand casually, and Qin Yu put the incomplete map of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame into his Storage Ring, then turned and walked towards the door.

"Senior, will you continue to keep your little shop open?"

As he reached the door, Qin Yu suddenly stopped and turned back to ask a question.

Hai Bo Dong was taken aback by his question, then gave a soft hum:

"What, afraid you won't be able to find me?"

"Yes, I don't want to be able to refine the Poe Dan by now, only to find out where you are, Senior."

"Don't worry, I have nowhere else to go. Just keep your promise, kid."

After Qin Yu left the map shop, Hai Bo Dong sat behind the counter, staring blankly at the swaying wooden door for a long while.

My own judgment should be correct.

According to his own bold prediction, Qin Yu should be able to reach the Sixth-Grade Alchemist in less than ten years.

This feeling of having a general expectation is much better than before.

after all...

More terrifying than having one's cultivation sealed is not knowing when that seal will be broken!